prices higher for winter caribbean cruises

[may1021]

Anyone notice that prices are higher this year? Last year we went on a week long Explore 4 cruise in Caribbean @Jan 10 and I paid $949 per person. This year the Jan 10 cruise with Explore 4 is $1299 per person. This is quite a jump. Option without any perks is $999. I'll wait and watch for awhile and see if pricing becomes more agreeable. Sort of interesting that with the Caribbean market being so glutted with the new mega ships and more cabins available, that prices on HAL are higher this year. Know this is all supply and demand so will wait it out for a bit.:)

[rjrpar]

Depending on the type of cabin, $999 for a week is not bad

[EbayCruiser]

To me $999. is a good price for a balcony cabin - I, personally, would not add the Explore4.

 

We received $200 OBC and the dine around package for less than $999 pp for our 1/02/16 cruise. Thought that was a GREAT deal.

[Stakeout]

all the Explore 4 is --a gimmick.. one is paying for all that so called free booze built in to the price of the cruise... I for one don't want it.. don't need it...

[TiogaCruiser]

So are they offering the explore four as an add-on option, or are you asking for a price without it?

[Krazy Kruizers]

From what I understand, you may be able to ask and may get a deal without the Explore4 program.

It never hurts to ask.

[DaveOKC]

Last year there were a few good deals with Explore4 (or the one with the signature beverage package) as the fares did not go up much or at all. But like anything else, HAL figured out that they could charge more for cruises with these promotions, so they bumped up prices.

 

Based on the prices I am seeing now, I would rather have the lower prices (in most cases).

[may1021]

Yes, you can get an option without the Explore 4 and this is $999(balcony) for that week. Last year paid $949(balcony) for the same week WITH the Explore 4.

 

We didn't like Explore 4. It wasn't worth it for us.

 

Only thing offered with $999 rate this year is I think $75 OBC. Just an observation here that prices have jumped a lot for the same thing. Will check and see when I booked cruise last year and watch out for any other upcoming "deals". :)

[kelleherdl]

From what I understand, you may be able to ask and may get a deal without the Explore4 program.

 

It never hurts to ask.

I do not know if it will always work this way, but I do know that it is possible the opposite can happen. Explore 4 was added to the initial Koningsdam Med cruises next year. For the April 15 cruise all Neptune and Signature suites are 'sold out.' We have an SC GTD and I emailed my PCC about adding Explore 4. He emailed me back. 'Sure you can add it Dennis.... The price for your booking is now $800 more per person.' There is no way that I would expect HAL to comp that much. Obviously, he and I knew that was a big fat NO.

 

Dennis

[lvz2cruz]

We booked for January 2016 in May for $799 for a balcony. I just checked pricing with Explore 4 and it is $1199. For the 799 we have $100 OBC and the dine around package.

Prices have really jumped in the last week.

[sail7seas]

While none of us want to pay higher prices, many here have posted repeatedly they would rather the cruise lines up the prices and maintain a good standard of service and quality than to continue with unrealistically low prices and be unable to provide the cruises that we will enjoy and want to book. Assuming quality stays at a good level, staffing is adequate, the higher price is worth it to many.

 

[sofietucker]

Caribbean cruise prices jump Xmas week & stay high thru Jan/Feb (the "high season). If you can go the first 3 weeks of Dec., check prices for then--usually much better.

Ex:

A 7-day Eastern on the Westerdam on Dec 5th is $489 interior.

On Dec. 19th, it's $999.

On Jan. 23rd, it's $899.

So cruising in Dec before the holidays (return by the 21st) is HALF THE PRICE.

[cruz chic]

While none of us want to pay higher prices, many here have posted repeatedly they would rather the cruise lines up the prices and maintain a good standard of service and quality than to continue with unrealistically low prices and be unable to provide the cruises that we will enjoy and want to book. Assuming quality stays at a good level, staffing is adequate, the higher price is worth it to many.

 

 

That would be wonderful if they maintained the high prices. The problem is that they will be giving them away at the end so it will result in cuts in the end. Why not start with a more moderate price? They likely would get more folks booking early. Also, if they didn't give away rooms for the casino crowd for nothing that would likely help too.

[EbayCruiser]

That would be wonderful if they maintained the high prices. The problem is that they will be giving them away at the end so it will result in cuts in the end. Why not start with a more moderate price? They likely would get more folks booking early. Also, if they didn't give away rooms for the casino crowd for nothing that would likely help too.

 

I agree. Also, paying more for your cruise does not guarantee that you will get better quality or service than if you pay a lower price. We all know that quality and service has declined over the years and, yes, sometimes that is due to having to lower the prices of cruises but even if you pay top $$$, your on the same ship (with the same food) as the other passengers who paid less.

[Lizzie68]

As far as I'm concerned, if someone gets a smoking deal right before sail date, more power to them, and good luck. At least HAL is making some money selling them off at fire sale prices, rather than sailing with empty cabins. And those people will likely spend money onboard.

I prefer to book way ahead and get the cabin I want, and if I have to pay more for that, so be it. However, my experience for my repositioning cruise was the price shot up in the final months so I thought I got a deal booking so far in advance.

[CowPrincess]

Anyone notice that prices are higher this year? Last year we went on a week long Explore 4 cruise in Caribbean @Jan 10 and I paid $949 per person. This year the Jan 10 cruise with Explore 4 is $1299 per person. This is quite a jump. Option without any perks is $999. I'll wait and watch for awhile and see if pricing becomes more agreeable. Sort of interesting that with the Caribbean market being so glutted with the new mega ships and more cabins available, that prices on HAL are higher this year. Know this is all supply and demand so will wait it out for a bit.:)

 

We booked a 10 day Carib cruise for 2016 many months ago, and the price was identical to what we paid in 2011. It is WAY higher now than when I booked it -- that price increase just occurred as I have been checking regularly.

 

I had a Carib cruise booked last year (that we cancelled) and it was the same price as our 2011 cruise and the one we are booked on for 2016. Same category.

Edited July 24, 2015 by CowPrincess

[81Zoomie]

I was looking at a 7 day Caribbean cruise in a signature suite in Nov/Dec 2015. I also looked at the identical cruise, ship, and category in Jan 2016. The price went up from $899/$999 to $1599/$1799. That is almost double!!!!

[sofietucker]

I was looking at a 7 day Caribbean cruise in a signature suite in Nov/Dec 2015. I also looked at the identical cruise, ship, and category in Jan 2016. The price went up from $899/$999 to $1599/$1799. That is almost double!!!!

 

Yep! That's what I said in post #12 below... Enjoy your cruise--and think of all the goodies your savings will cover!